Operating System (OS)

An operating system (OS) is the core software that manages a device's hardware, memory, storage and network connections, and provides the services that other programs need to run. Everyday examples include Microsoft Windows, Apple's macOS and iOS, Google's Android and the many versions of Linux, which also runs most of the world's servers. Users interact with an OS through its interface, while applications such as banking apps, exchanges and wallets rely on it to store data and talk to the internet. For anyone holding crypto, the OS is part of the security chain: an out-of-date or compromised system can expose keys and passwords to malware, which is why security guides stress prompt updates, and why hardware wallets run their own small, locked-down operating software. Specialised systems also run ATMs and payment terminals. Also see cybersecurity risk.